Caputo v. Nelson

Facts

After Michael Caputo’s (Defendant) estranged wife and mother-in-law were found stabbed to death in an apartment by Boston police, the police found an address in the apartment for Defendant in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Boston police notified the Plymouth Police Department that Defendant was a suspect in a double homicide, but did not provide details. Six Plymouth police officers arrived at Defendant’s home and asked to be let in. Defendant agreed. Once inside the home, one of the police, Sergeant Richard Dorman informed Defendant that they were investigating a double homicide in Boston and, from a printed card, he read Defendant his Miranda rights. Eventually, Defendant acknowledged that he understood his rights and declined to say anything further. The police then stopped all questioning of Defendant. When Defendant asked who was killed, Dorman said he did not know and called the Plymouth police station to obtain further information, without success. Thereafter, Dorman went outside to check Defendant’s vehicle, which matched the description provided by Boston police. The engine was warm to the touch and the car had two different license plates. Dorman re-entered the house and asked Defendant to use the telephone. Defendant agreed and Dorman telephoned the police station to inform his lieutenant of the suspicious nature of the vehicle. Defendant overheard the conversation and spontaneously proceeded to tell the police a false story to explain where he had been. The police did not ask any questions in response to Defendant’s statement. Defendant was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder. Defendant’s motion to suppress his statements made at his home was denied by the trial court and he was convicted. The Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts affirmed Defendant’s convictions. Thereafter, Defendant filed a petition for a writ of habeas corpus in federal district court. The district court denied Defendant’s petition and he appealed.